Living with glaucoma

[LondonStadium]

Hi All I've had glaucoma and Uveitis in both eyes for many years and have had numerous procedures and drains put in both eyes like many other glaucoma patients , I was told yesterday that a cornea transplant is not viable now because of the complications with my eye and that all they can do is monitor me , my question is how are people coping with severe blurred vision

Thanks in advance

[P0inteN0ire]

I think that my background could be similar.

I have had uveitis for about 7 years.

I had an Ozurdex implant in June 2020 in my left eye which improved the clarity of my vision greatly. In December 2020 I had a second Ozurdex implant following which the pressure in that eye rose to a very high level. I should have gone immediately to the emergency department, but did not.

The result was permanent damage to the optic nerve in that eye.

I also have a hole in the retina on my right eye, which is not suitable for surgery.

I am 71 years and age and generally have a very positive outlook.

I am working full time and facing a computer screen for hours on end every day, but I manage fairly well (obviously having to get closer to the screen.)

Over the years I have had periods when I have felt very down, but somehow I've managed to persevere.

At every stage of my treatment I have been supported by excellent Consultants from the Retinal and Glaucoma Departments of my local NHS Trust. Their professionalism and caring attitude are second to none.

I understand that the best that can be done is to maintain my condition and prevent it worsening, and I'm grateful for all they do.

I guess that you are a Hammers supporter ? Congratulations to your team on their success in Europe.

I get to watch my team a handful of times each season (at The Valley) and I really enjoy the atmosphere in the stadium. I don't see very clearly what happens at the far end of the ground , but it's great when a goal goes in at the near end !!

You have my honest sympathy and understanding, and I hope that things go well for you in the future.

[LondonStadium in reply to P0inteN0ire]

Hi and thanks for replying , I have to say well done you for getting on with your life and working full time it can't be easy especially facing a computer screen every day , I was diagnosed with glaucoma and Uveitis way back in 1999 and didn't even know I had it like many people and the pressure in my eyes was through the roof , anyways to cut a long story short I was off work ( being self employed that isn't good ) for nearly 2 months as they tried to get the pressure down , after 6 months it wasn't getting a lot better so I asked to be referred to a different hospital in London where I had surgery within a week to reduce the pressure which worked , after numerous surgery throughout the years the cornea in my left eye is so damaged that the only way forward was a transplant which I thought I would have but after seeing doctors and consultant on Friday it is now not going to happen as too risky and he said it probably won't work and could make my sight worse .

I've worked as a carpenter for nearly 44 years and recently changed my job to a hospital porter which I loved but due to the blurred vision I've been signed off and tbh don't know my next step .

You are correct I am a Hammers fan and season ticket holder and thanks winning the conference trophy has been a long time coming , I have a few friends who are Charlton fans and I was happy they got back into the Valley , it would be nice to see them have a good season and hopefully get promoted or into the playoffs , I must admit I'm the same as you struggling to see what goes on at the other end of the pitch but wouldn't miss going just to hear the atmosphere

Thanks again for replying

[P0inteN0ire in reply to LondonStadium]

The very best of luck to you..

[LondonStadium in reply to P0inteN0ire]

The same to you , hope all goes well

[Flowergirl24]

Hi LondonStadium

I was diagnosed with Uveitis in 2018 which was caused by Sarcoidosis of I had never hear of both of these conditions. The sarcoidosis was so aggressive that I ended up having a liver transplant in 2019 and pre and post transplant, I ended up with Glaucoma in both eyes with the left one serious. I've had the Presaflo operations in both eyes and the pressures have been stable for a year however, the left eye pressure has increased to 17 so we are watching it again. The vision is clear but I have a black patch right side in the left eye and I still have very dry eyes.

Everything has been such a shock over the 5 years but I accept what has happened. I'm on Dexamethasone 3 drops a week in both eyes and Tiopex in the left eye once a day. I've also had two cataract operations which is why my vision is clear. Could this be a reason for your blurred vision?

Wishing you all the best

Flowergirl

[LondonStadium in reply to Flowergirl24]

Hi Flowergirl24Thank you for replying , you have been through it over the past few years , I haven't heard of Sarcoidosis either but god it was serious enough to have a liver transplant you must have be both scared and shocked I know I would be .

So after suffering enough with having a liver transplant and Uveitis you get glaucoma as well in both eyes , you have had to cope with such a lot over such a short space of time but I think at some point you have to accept what is happening to you and in a way its very positive ,17 isn't too bad but like you say you have to monitor it because it can creep up without us knowing that's a fact .

My blurred vision is down to the numerous surgery and procedures I've had since 2000 but I did think I would get a cornea transplant well I was hoping I would and it was on the table until Friday after seeing the consultant who said the damage to my cornea is irreversible but I won't give up hope , I'm on dexsmetasone 3 x a day to both eyes and a solution 4 x a day in left eye only , I'm back up for glaucoma check up in a couple of weeks so have a few questions to ask .

Wishing you all the best too and Thank you for replying

[Flowergirl24]

Thanks for your reply too. The human body and mind is amazing, never give up hope!

[LondonStadium in reply to Flowergirl24]

Your welcome , your right it is amazing and no we should never give up hope , I try to stay positive every day although some days you it's not always possible .